Stetson Wright is setting himself up to have a winning season that could be his best yet.
When the conversation turns to the greatest rodeo cowboys of all time, one name is always part of the discussion: Stetson Wright. In just eight years of competing at the professional level, he has more than secured his place in PRCA history. With 10 world championships to his name so far, he has become the standard by which modern rodeo athletes are measured.
At just 26 years old, Wright has already built a resume that rivals many Hall of Fame careers. As he closes in on four million dollars in career earnings, another historic achievement sits within reach – the Triple Crown of Rodeo.
One of rodeo’s rarest accomplishments, the Triple Crown requires a PRCA cowboy to win three separate world championships in a single season. The last cowboy to accomplish this feat was Trevor Brazile. Widely regarded as the “King of the Cowboys,” Brazile completed the Triple Crown twice – first in 2007 and again in 2010. In 2007, he secured world titles in all-around, tie-down roping, and steer roping. In 2010, he repeated the all-around and tie-down roping titles and added team roping.
What makes Wright such a unique competitor is his ability to excel not only in multiple professional events but also in roughstock. Traditionally, the all-around race has been dominated by timed event cowboys, but Wright, as well as Wacey Schalla, brought the all-around race back to the bucking chutes.
As we head into the ever-important summer run, Wright currently sits first in the all-around and saddle bronc standings and second in bull riding. His all-around fate has been all but sealed, with No. 2-ranked cowboy Schalla sidelined after suffering a broken femur at the Music City Rodeo, effectively removing his closest challenger from contention.
While this stretch of the season has a way of reshuffling the world standings quickly, Wright’s position affords him some breathing room. But knowing how he’s operated in years past, we can expect he won’t be letting off the gas for one second.
In saddle bronc riding, he currently leads the world standings with $174,848.89, but his older brother, Rusty Wright, sits just behind him at $169,915.35. Damian Brennan sits third with $96,832.16, followed by Chase Brooks at $92,339.68, and Kade Bruno at $90,213.65 to round out the Top 5. But one cowboy to keep a close eye on is No. 6-ranked cowboy Sage Newman, who has won over $30,000 in the last month alone.
Bull riding presents a different challenge. Tristen Hutchings currently holds the No. 1 spot with $134,489.57, while Wright is second at $126,064.91. Noah Lee remains within striking distance in third at $111,976.53, with Jake Gardner ($101,604.05) and Hayden Welsh ($100,862.84) rounding out the top five.
It’s anyone’s game, making bull riding one of the most compelling world title races to watch.
